Situated in the heart of the Richtersveld, the area of Kuboes is as hot and dry as it is vast. Regarded by the local people as the heartland of the Nama culture, the little town of Kuboes lies nestled between the mountains of Kuboesberg to the north, Van der Stel Berg to the east and the Ploegberg to the south. The origin of this town can be traced back to recent history with the establishment of the Rhenish Missionary Church. The nomads of the Richtersveld would commute for miles in order to attend church services and to enable their children to be educated, until more missionaries came, and the itinerant population decided to settle in Kuboes itself and commute between stock posts. Fascinating succulents such as the ancient Kokerboom tree share the rocky soils with birds, insects and reptiles. If you are lucky, you might spot an elusive klipspringer, a ground squirrel, a Smith's red rock rabbit, or even a majestic Gompou on the sandy plains.

The locals of Kuboes will show you their traditional Nama dances and Namastap music and take you on a magic ride with their famous story telling. Even if you don't understand Afrikaans or Nama, the stories will carry you away on a journey through ages and wonders, written in the storytellers' faces. They will tell you about the wondergat, a deep and mysterious sinkhole at Cornellskop, where people disappear or return to the surface suddenly aged, with wide open terrified eyes and grey hair. The lovely trail which takes you past the wondergat to the top of Cornellskop, winds its way past a variety of succulents and affords beautiful views of the Richtersveld, the Orange River and dunes of Namibia. Students from Kuboes helped lay out the trail. An old white-washed church, standing out in spectacular contrast to the blue sky, dates back to 1893. Soon to be declared a national monument, it is well worth a visit.
You can explore the wonders of the area step by step, hiking on one of the trails set up around Kuboes. If you prefer to discover nature with a 4x4, demarcated trails have been laid out to offer you a unique experience. If you want to know more about specialised endemic vegetation, the life of a goatherd and the Nama culture, you can arrange for a local guide to take you on an informative tour around Kuboes or into the Richtersveld National Park.

ATTRACTIONS: THINGS TO DO:
Cultural groups: Often called the heartland of the Nama culture, Kuboes offers traditional meals, Namastap, dancing, singing and music.

Historical church buildings: The reminders of the origins of Kuboes as a mission station started by Rev. Johan Hein in the late 1800s.

Cornellskop: A 30ha hill hosts the largest population of the most threatened species of Succulent Karoo vegetation in Namaqualand, the Baster Quiver Tree.

Wondergat: This mysterious sinkhole is the source of many local legends and said to be the home of the Big Snake.

GETTING THERE:Kuboes, lying on the periphery of the Richtersveld National Park, can be accessed from two roads. It is approximately 70 km from either Alexander Bay or Eksteenfontein to this village.

ACCOMMODATION:
The Kuboes Guest House, in the heart of the village, offers en suite rooms, a comfortable lounge and self-catering facilities.
Mountain Valley Guesthouse, previously called The 'Plantasie', is a community-run reed-hut campsite that provides an interesting alternative to regular camping. If you give prior notice, the 'matjies'- huts will be assembled and ready for you on arrival. Roomy and cool, these traditional huts will shelter you from the heat of the day and the cold of the night. Barbeque facilities are available at the campsite, but remember to bring water and your own supplies. Traditional delicious home made meals can be prepared for you if pre-arranged.

DISTANCES BETWEEN TOWNS

Alexander Bay

Eksteenfontein

153km

Kuboes

120km

65km

Lekkersing

75km

45km

110km

Port Nolloth

60km

150km

120km

85km

Sanddrift

130km

80km

25km

130km

45km

Springbok

275km

145km

160km

295km

145km

230km

Steinkopf

55km

220km

90km

105km

240km

90km

175km

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